{"title":"Evaluation of a Human Trafficking Screening Process in an Urban Emergency Department.","authors":"Kathleen Stepanovic, Anna Candoleza Muglia, Jennie Paxton, Jenny Ahn, Monika Pitzele","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000570","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000570","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Human trafficking (HT) affects 25 million people globally, with Illinois ranking eleventh in U.S. cases, highlighting the need for effective health care identification systems. To evaluate an HT screening program implemented in a Chicago emergency department (ED).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The program established an HT victim screening tool into the electronic medical record, trained staff on HT red flags, and used a silent identification system to enhance victim detection at multiple patient interaction points.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two HT victims were identified shortly after implementation. However, sustainability measures proved inadequate, with screening numbers at only 15 screens 2 years after implementation. Challenges included high staff turnover, insufficient training, hidden screening locations, and poor maintenance of the silent notification system.</p><p><strong>Discussions: </strong>Ongoing education, better screening placement, and leveraging Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners' expertise are critical for improvement. A new initiative is underway to address barriers and enhance the HT protocol in the Chicago ED.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E239-E244"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145133153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
KayLeigh A Balinski, Melissa Copenhaver, Melissa Romero, Casey Hopper
{"title":"Improving Trauma-Informed Care Understanding Towards Sexual Assault Patients Who Present to the Emergency Department Following a Sexual Assault.","authors":"KayLeigh A Balinski, Melissa Copenhaver, Melissa Romero, Casey Hopper","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000593","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rural sexual assault survivors face barriers to accessing trauma-informed care (TIC), including shortages of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) and limited resources, leading to retraumatization and poorer outcomes.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To improve TIC knowledge among SANE-competent nurses in a rural Midwestern emergency department and assess effects on advocacy service use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods design that included 12 SANE-competent nurses who completed the Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care-10 Scale (ARTIC-10) pre/post and a 16-minute TIC and advocacy video.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ARTIC-10 scores increased significantly, indicating improvement in TIC attitudes and competencies. Qualitative findings showed greater empathy, empowerment, and communication. Advocacy center calls doubled post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Brief, targeted TIC training show promise to improve competencies and advocacy utilization. A concise microlearning module can strengthen TIC and advocacy collaboration among rural SANE-competent nurses, offering a scalable model for underserved communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E228-E232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146128046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Examining Risk Factors and Characteristics of Trafficked Youth: Insights From a Therapeutic Housing Program.","authors":"Heather Quaile, Lindsey Garfield, Sandi Tenfelde","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000571","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000571","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To describe the demographic characteristics and prevalence of individual, relational, and community-level risk factors among adolescents in a therapeutic program for survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children in Georgia, United States (U.S.).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective secondary data analysis was conducted on youth admitted to a transitional housing and rehabilitation program from 2020 to 2021. Study was guided by the Institute of Medicine/National Research Council Guide, which integrates Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. Intake data, including demographics, medical records, physical examinations, laboratories, and sexual assault nurse examiner examinations, were analyzed to identify risk factors across ecological levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 108 adolescents (average age 15), 60% identified as Non-Hispanic Black, and 68% were in state custody. Participants had high adverse childhood experiences scores (mean: 4.8), with significant rates of self-harm (49%) and substance use (39%).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Findings highlight the complex vulnerabilities of trafficked youth and emphasize the need for trauma-informed care models to guide targeted prevention, identification, and intervention strategies for at-risk adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E177-E188"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145310448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Silent and Forgotten: Male Sexual Victimization.","authors":"Gail Hornor, Kalen Knight, Shaun Johnson","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000561","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000561","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite increased public awareness of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and rape culture empowering individuals to acknowledge and report their victimization, much attention has focused on female sexual victimization by males. Yet, males also experience sexual violence, ∼1 out of 10 in their lifetime.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To discuss male victims of sexual assault in terms of barriers to disclosure, consequences, and implications for practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A brief narrative review and synthesis of prevalence statistics and literature was conducted.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Forensic nurses care for all victims of sexual violence and must be able to meet the unique needs of male victims. Forensic nurses must understand the medical, psychological, and legal concerns impacting males presenting for health care in the aftermath of sexual assault.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":"22 3","pages":"E189-E198"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Closing the Gap: Education for Emergency Department Nurses in the Use of Human Trafficking and Intimate Partner Violence Screening Tools.","authors":"Danielle Paravati","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000567","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000567","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is an identified educational gap in ED nurses regarding their comfort in screening for victims of human trafficking (HT) and intimate partner violence (IPV).</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To increase nurses' knowledge about HT and IPV, legal requirements, available resources, and the use of an EHR screening tool.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A single-session 30-minute educational intervention on HT, IPV, and screening was delivered, with pre-evaluation and post-evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 15 participants, there was a significant increase in staff understanding of caring for victims of HT and IPV after the intervention. Specifically, nurses' knowledge increased in areas such as defining HT and IPV, identifying HT \"Red Flags,\" and adopting a trauma-informed care approach.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A brief educational intervention can improve ED nurses' knowledge and confidence regarding HT and IPV identification and screening. Further longitudinal research is warranted to assess outcomes over time and the possible need for ongoing professional development on HT and IPV screening.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E245-E249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145115802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Silent Struggles: Navigating Secondary Traumatic Stress in Dutch Practitioners Working With Individuals Who Have Committed Sexual Violence.","authors":"Marije Keulen-de Vos, Funda Sanci","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000579","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000579","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exposure to stories of sexual violence can lead to secondary traumatic stress (STS) or the occurrence of posttraumatic stress symptoms in forensic nurses and other professionals.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To investigate the prevalence of STS among Dutch nurses and other professionals involved in the treatment of individuals convicted of sex offenses, and the predictive impact of coping styles and social support on STS levels.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Using a cross-sectional survey design, we collected data from 37 nurses and 66 other practitioners.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings indicate a low prevalence of STS symptoms among the participants. Avoidant and active coping were associated with STS, but social support was not.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The relationship between social support and STS may be more complex than previously thought and warrants further research. Targeted interventions are needed to support the development of effective coping mechanisms that have the potential to mitigate the impact of STS.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E211-E219"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13496028/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mediating Role of Empathy Between Self-Compassion and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Nurses.","authors":"Hanieh Poursheikhali, Shabnam Hashemzadeh Mohammadieh, Shekoofeh Mottaghi","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000594","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000594","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To investigate the mediating role of empathy in the relationship between self-compassion and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among nurses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive correlational design was used. Data were collected from 300 nurses in five hospitals in Kerman, Iran, using validated scales measuring self-compassion, empathy, and STS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Structural equation modeling revealed significant negative correlations between self-compassion and STS ( r =-.23, p <0.001) and between empathy and STS ( r =-.37, p <0.001). Self-compassion was positively associated with empathy ( r =.41, p <0.001). Empathy partially mediated the self-compassion-STS relationship, with an indirect effect of -0.15 ( p <0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Self-compassion reduces STS both directly and indirectly by enhancing empathy. Results suggest fostering self-compassion and empathy in nursing education and practice to build resilience and reduce STS risk among health care professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E220-E227"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147292149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Son Chae Kim, Jennifer Kaiser, Ashleigh Nurski, Tracy Hosford, Chelsea Luongo, Thomas Bos
{"title":"Prevention of Adolescent Violence During Emergency Department Visits.","authors":"Son Chae Kim, Jennifer Kaiser, Ashleigh Nurski, Tracy Hosford, Chelsea Luongo, Thomas Bos","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000580","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000580","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescent violence in emergency departments (EDs) is a serious problem.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To examine outcomes of a violence reduction intervention among adolescents seen in EDs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Aggressive Behavior Risk Assessment Tool for Emergency Departments was used to identify patients at high risk. Following a baseline period, a Phase 1 intervention of signage posting and a Phase 2 intervention of additional behavioral emergency response team huddles were implemented. A subset analysis of adolescents aged 10-18 years was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 8,658 adolescents, 156 had ≥1 violent event (1.80%). The violence rate during Phase 1 showed a 34% reduction compared with the baseline ( p =0.035); no significant reduction was observed in Phase 2 compared with Phase 1.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Signage posting appears to be an effective strategy contributing to reducing violent events among adolescents visiting EDs. The use of a validated screening tool to identify high-risk adolescents facilitated targeted preventive intervention efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E233-E238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145440339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Breaking Silence, Bearing Consequences: Male Patients' Retrospective Narratives of Clinician-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse.","authors":"Victor G Petreca, Shari L Harding, Ann W Burgess","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000581","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000581","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sexual misconduct by health care clinicians is a type of sexual abuse with significant consequences for patients, although there is limited literature examining the experience of male survivors.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To examine the effects of sexual misconduct experienced by male patients during young adulthood by the same healthcare clinician.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using BERTopic modeling, a machine learning-based topic modeling method, we analyzed the narratives from records in a class-action lawsuit involving men aged 18-22 at the time of the abuse, who provided narratives years later that included reflections on their experiences over time.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three themes were described by the men: \"Violation of Trust in Clinical Settings,\" \"Breaking Silence Through Public Disclosure,\" and \"Long-term Psychological and Relational Consequences.\"</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is an enduring psychological impact of clinician sexual misconduct on male survivors, and a subsequent need for trauma-informed, gender-sensitive forensic nursing care in every patient encounter.</p>","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":" ","pages":"E199-E207"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145461079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Silent Struggles: Navigating Secondary Traumatic Stress in Dutch Practitioners Working With Individuals Who Have Committed Sexual Violence.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/JFN.0000000000000622","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000622","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94079,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic nursing","volume":"22 3","pages":"E250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148815254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}